Meadow Creek Community Day opened Saturday morning to moderate weather and blue skies, under which children and families from the Nolachuckey and South Greene communities enjoyed fun and fellowship.

The event was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday at Meadow Creek Presbyterian Church, on West Allens Bridge Road.

All proceeds from the event benefited Nolachuckey Elementary School and the South Greene High School Band, which performed this year's "South Greene Rocks the Blues" program for an enthusiastic audience.

As for Nolachuckey Elementary, Principal Chris Malone said he will designate all of this year's proceeds to the school's classroom libraries as teachers work to build their nonfiction collections to meet the new Common Core standards.

"It's great. I've been tickled to death with everything I've seen," the principal said.

He came out with family in tow and could speak first-hand about how much the kids enjoyed the food, games, inflatables, farm animals and a variety of entertainment.

Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed the silent auction, entertainment and screams of laughter from the kids.

Malone praised the church for its efforts in partnering with and ministering to the community.

He said that he has been in discussions with the church about building a mentoring program similar to the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

"We feel like it's important that we are connected to our community," Pastor Jeff Neikirk said. "It's a small way to share the love of Christ to the people who live around us by just giving something back."

He said that at one event alone the church hoped to raise at least $5,000 for the two schools. Modern Woodmen will match any funds raised up to $2,500, he added.

Tabitha Reynolds, a teacher at Nolachuckey, came with her 2-year-old. This was his second year at the event, but he was far more active and able to enjoy the festivities this year, she said with a laugh.

She praised being able to have a clean, safe environment to which she could bring children to play and have fun.

"This church has always been good about supporting Nolachuckey," she added. "It's a great community."